Plant bulbs in the fall for a low-effort, gorgeous flower garden in early spring
I have one of those flower gardens that people pause and take pictures of. But every time someone passes my garden and compliments my flowers, I have to stop myself from saying, “It’s really a lot easier than it looks.” Every fall, I spend about 30 minutes to an hour planting bulbs. And come spring, my property looks pretty amazing.
“Spring-flowering bulbs such as tulips and daffodils must be planted in the fall or early winter to bloom in spring because they require a long period of cool temperatures to spark the biochemical process that causes them to flower,” explain experts at the wildflower farm and online plant depot American Meadows. “In fall, it’s important to get them into the ground before the ground freezes. They need time to develop strong roots.” So even though fall is the time when leaves start to fall off the tree and you may feel the urge to go inside and curl up under a blanket, it’s really the time you should be outside imagining how glorious your spring garden will be.
In this article: Crocus, Daffodils and joyhalo Garden Bulb Planter Tool
What fall bulbs should I plant for spring flowering?
There are so many varieties here, it really depends on what you like. Here are the ones that bloom on the earlier side and give you a nice welcome to spring. Be sure to follow planting guides for your region. The Old Farmer’s Almanac has an extensive planting guide by flower and zone to help you prepare and plant correctly.
Crocus are so subtle and gorgeous. They’re usually the first indication that spring is on the way and are hardy enough to bloom when light blankets of snow are still on the ground. The blooms close up at night and open again when the morning sun hits them. They bloom low to the ground, and once the flowers have died off the small stems (they’re in the iris family!), continue to grow and leave pretty greenery behind. Plant crocus bulbs 3 to 4 inches deep, with the pointy end up.
Just plant these everywhere. They’re deer-resistant, rodent-resistant and are some of the first bulbs to break ground in spring. Daffodils are hardy and easy to grow — except in very hot, very wet southern climates. There are so many varieties to choose from — I love lining the perimeter of my yard with them because they add a really vibrant burst of color that signals the start of spring. The Old Farmer’s Almanac recommends planting bulbs two to three times as deep as the bulb is tall. It’s recommended to place them 3 to 6 inches apart, but frankly, I crowd mine in bunches and they grow so beautifully. When the flowers die, you can deadhead the blooms and leave the bushy greenery for months — and you should leave it until it turns brown and dies. You may be compelled to cut it back when your gorgeous flower garden turns brown, but it’s part of the natural lifecyle of the plant, and keeping the greenery around until it’s completely dead is essential for the health of the plant and its bulbs.
When you think of tulips, your mind likely goes to fields of yellows and pinks, but let me sway you just a little here. Black tulips are so strikingly beautiful that once you see them flower, you’ll want to plant more every year. I have a lot of different colors in my garden, but my black tulips, lilies and petunias are my favorite. Plant tulips in the fall, six to eight weeks before the ground freezes. The Old Farmer’s Almanac suggests planting them when nighttime temperatures in your area are dropping into the 40s. Tulips should be planted deep — about three times the size of the bulb. After flowering, allow leaves to stay on the plant for another six weeks because the foliage gathers energy for next year’s blooms and shouldn’t be pruned early.
Additional bulbs you can plant in the fall
These are showstoppers with their bright, sunny, large pom-poms. They are deer-resistant and flourish in the sun.
These are the most fragrant flowers you’ll ever grow. You’ll need to be patient though, because if you cut the blooms before the plant matures correctly, you can stunt the growth of the plant for years. “You want the energy to go into the roots at least for the first two years and maybe longer depending on your soils and how your plants thrive,” explains Alaska Perfect Peony.
What tools should I use to plant fall bulbs?
Depending on your soil, there are different tools you can use to plant bulbs. If you have loose soil, a regular hand shovel will work. If you have a harder clay soil, It will be much easier if you use a tool made specifically for planting bulbs. And some good garden gloves are always a must, of course. If you have issues kneeling for long periods of time, that shouldn’t keep you out of your garden. Try a garden stool with padding for your knees.
joyhalo Garden Bulb Planter Tool
This heavy-duty tool is great for tough soil. It’s a little bulkier than average bulb tools and feels like it will last.
You really can’t beat a lifetime warranty — and Fiskars is a trusted, legacy brand.
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